Hornets beat SWOSU in opener
By C.J. Moore
Originally published 08:29 p.m., August 27, 2009
Updated 10:55 p.m., August 27, 2009
Emporia State opened the season with a 48-17 win over Southwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday night at Welch Stadium.
The Hornets ran for 399 yards, led by La’Darrian Page’s 160 yards and three touchdowns. Adrian Abner added 109 yards and a touchdown, and Kevin Smart played in only one series, running for 22 yards and a touchdown at the end of the second quarter.
The Hornets jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter with Page scoring the first two touchdown. After SWOSU made it 14-7, Andre Sloan El responded with his first touchdown pass of the season, a 22-yard pass to Shjaun Richardson.
Smart put the Hornets up 27-10 with his touchdown just before half.
Page added another touchdown in the third quarter and sat out most of the second half.
Zach Rampy took over for Sloan El midway through the third quarter and threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Tracy Hageman. Abner finished the scoring with a 7-yard TD run with 1:42 left in the game.
Sloan El finished 6-for-11 passing with 57 yards and a touchdown. Rampy was 5-for-8 for 57 yards, an interception and a touchdown.
The Hornets won the turnover battle, 4-1. Chris Poston and Travon Brooks both had interceptions. Katrel Larkins and Kameron Gee both forced fumbles. Blake Ringwall led the Hornets with eight tackles, followed by Nathan Linsey and Larkins, who had seven apiece.
For complete coverage of Thursday’s game, check Friday’s Gazette.
Half
Emporia State leads Southwestern Oklahoma State 27-10 at half.
The Hornets have dominated on the ground, running for 253 yards. La’Darrian Page has 115 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Adrian Abner has 78 yards on seven carries, and Kevin Smart has 22 yards and a touchdown, all coming on Emporia State’s final drive of the half.
Page did not play the last two series and was getting stretched on the sideline. He missed part of training camp with a hamstring injury.
Andre Sloan El has completed 3-of-7 passes for 34 yards and a touchdown.
The ESU defense has looked sharp at times, but has been hurt by penalties. The Hornets have eight penalties for 95 yards.
SWOSU also has been penalized for 60 yards.
SWOSU quarterback Steve Day has thrown for 81 yards and a touchdown. Day threw an interception to Travis Lee in the second quarter that Lee returned for a touchdown, but the play was called back because of a roughing the passer penalty.
okjayhawk (anonymous) says...
Way to go Hornets! Way to go Hornet fans! I hear there were many fans there last night. Way to go KVOE/Mix 104.9 for broadcasting so I could listen on my laptop! Looking forward to a winning season. See you all on the 12th!
August 28, 2009 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yev_kassem (anonymous) says...
Hornets looked good last night. They are bigger, faster and stronger than last year.
The paper and radio seemed to elude to the fact that SW OK was going to be somewhat of a challenge. I am hoping that ESU was just that much better than expected and that SW OK was not worse than expected.
Regardless, ESU definitely dominated the game and sure makes me want to come out and support them again.
August 28, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )